Issue Of The Week XXV: Discriminatory Practices Of Mainstream Sports Media

Race is obviously a highly discussed topic in sports. It seems that most of the popular sports in this country are dominated by black athletes. I think the biggest problem with this is the fact that we actually see it as a problem. Why can we not accept the fact that African Americans may be more gifted in some areas? If this was not the case, then it would be apparent on sports team. When it comes to saying that there in under-reporting of white misbehavior, I highly disagree. The most recent sports scandals have centered around white coached, ranging from bounties on players to child molestation. I think that misbehavior is equally covered no matter what the color of the offender. Both white and black players in the MLB have been accused of the same misuse of steroids and both black and white players in the NFL have been accused of illegal hits on other players. I think that we automatically assume that sports are racially biased due to the fact that we see a lot of black athletes. We really dont need to see it as a problem though, we just need to accept that some people are better at certain things and not try to turn everything into a race argument.

I really think the problem here is that we think that there are issues and we have let racism seep into the world of racism. The only issue I see personally as a female athlete, is the issue that womens sports are looked over as mentioned above. It most of society no one really cares about womens sports which is a shame. They could do equally as well if not better than the mens team and receieve recognition but not the same support from student body. Sports though should be left alone and not overanalyzied as I think they are doing is this article.

Now a days you see predominately more African Americans in the NBA then you do Caucasians. This is only because more African American athletes come from areas that are known as ghettos or slumps. These athletes spend majority of their time playing basketball on a court then distributing drugs. Athletes go to sports to stay out of trouble with the law. Majority of the African Americans in the NBA have mothers that are single and have taken care of them by their selfs all their life. This causes these athletes to grow up without a father figure causing these athletes to figure out how to be a man on their own. They figure out how to be a man on their own simply threw the sport because they can dominate others and forced people to do what they want. WHile Caucasians on the other hand have majority of things just handed to them making it easier to do what they want. SImply because African Americans do not get things handed to them they have to work harder and prove themselves. Once they see that they have potential that what they live for.

I come from a school where our basketball team, predominately colored, won the A10 Championships. If anything, I think colored athletes get a "by" in society. People judge non colored athletes by their colored, but being a successful athlete raises the standard, shows potential. I think that this idea carries on into the athletic world, especially because colored athletes tend to be bigger, faster, and stronger, according to stereotype. People enjoy watching them, and find them exceptions to their prejudices.

I do think we have improved greatly in regards to issues of race, but unfortunately, there are still lingering prejudices. However, I think the majority of these issues are not intentional or meant to be hurtful in any way. For instance the issues of race within athletics, it never seems hurtful towards a group of individuals based on race. If anything certain groups are seen as superior (not that this is a good thing either) but this is just another example of prevalent racial issues in todays society.

Race and athletics go hand and hand in the societal perpetuation of discrimination. I think that many people tend to associate races with different sports. For example, many basketball players are African Americans. Is this a coincidence? Perhaps, but can't people just recognize them as good basketball players, as opposed to good "black" basketball players. Some sort of discriminatory distinction always seems to seep its way into how we view certain things. Another example is gay marriage. Isn't gay marriage just the same as marriage? Why do people feel the need to make the distinction that gay people are getting married? You never would say straight marriage, so why make a different classification of the same concept for homosexuals? Back to my point, race has a way of becoming a part of so many aspects of society and its presence in an athletic arena furthers this point. I applaud Mr. Modiano for bringing the prejudices in athletics to the forefront of his research, as well as his desire to spread the word about his opinions and beliefs.

The fact that there is a conversation regarding the oppression of people of color, the “under-reporting of white misbehavior” and the omission of women as human and not sex symbols is nothing new to me. I have heard and taken part of conversations that deal with these very same topics but the problem is that there is too much talking and not enough listening. The topic at hand focuses on sports media coverage and the lack of positive coverage for people of color and women. “Whiteness” is a notion of privilege and power that many can’t seem to shake off. Metaphorically speaking I see whiteness as being “The Godfather” and we being the naïve kids that are too afraid to questions its authority. Often times when there is a discourse having to do with whiteness (coming from me, a Latina) I get sighs and eyes rolling of annoyance when speaking of whiteness because many interpret it as whining. Unfortunately because whiteness continues to be judged as a trivial topic there seems to be a need to “promote equity in sports media coverage”. As a human race, “Promoting equity” is certainly something that should be done, but as we know there is always the elephant in the room that we decide to consciously ignore.

The fact that there is a conversation regarding the oppression of people of color, the “under-reporting of white misbehavior” and the omission of women as human and not sex symbols is nothing new to me. I have heard and taken part of conversations that deal with these very same topics but the problem is that there is too much talking and not enough listening. The topic at hand focuses on sports media coverage and the lack of positive coverage for people of color and women. “Whiteness” is a notion of privilege and power that many can’t seem to shake off. Metaphorically speaking I see whiteness as being “The Godfather” and we being the naïve kids that are too afraid to questions its authority. Often times when there is a discourse having to do with whiteness (coming from me, a Latina) I get sighs and eyes rolling of annoyance when speaking of whiteness because many interpret it as whining. Unfortunately because whiteness continues to be judged as a trivial topic there seems to be a need to “promote equity in sports media coverage”. As a human race, “Promoting equity” is certainly something that should be done, but as we know there is always the elephant in the room that we decide to consciously ignore.

Race will always pertain to sports no matter what. In some cases it is said that black people are better athletes in sports such as basketball, track etc. The fact of the matter is, we need to accept our diferences and move in. I really see no issue other than the one that looks over women in sports. The fact that "sex" sells leaves women with the only option of being heard by taking off their clothes. This is sad.

There is absolutely no getting around race and athletics. They go hand in hand with one another and as sad as it is, I don't believe that it will be fixed at any times. They say that black men play basketball, football and run track, that white men swim, that foreigners play tennis. There are so many stereotypes that come along with athletics. Its so sad that if you see a tall black man walking down the street, that you automatically assume they used to play basketball or still do. What about the little white point guard that is the best on his team? No one ever thinks of those kids. Hopefully one day, all the stereotypes and racist terms about athletics can be gone, but until that day, we will all have to listen to all of them. The best thing we can do is when we hear someone say something about a black man playing basketball or a white man swimming, we say something to them and ask if they would like to hear someone making an assumption about them behind their back.

People like to think that race and stereotypes were a thing of the past. Even though people assume they are looking past the negativity there is a hidden bias in which people have towards others. Blacks play basketball, whites play water polo etc. It is not the comments that is making our world fierce towards each other, it is the innate response that we keep inside. We should not be afraid of words, we should be afraid of what people think in their heads for that is what makes us indifferent towards each other.

I definitely agree that race and stereotypes still exists today. Many of us like the sweep the issue under the rug, but everyday we see biases in sports, the news, television, and real life. Media and sports is a huge industry in which has a huge fan base. I think that athletes should not be excused from infidelity or crime. Athletes know when they sign up that they are under the public eye and scrutiny is going to be more intense, but I think it's the opposite. I think that persons of celebrity status are under media scrutiny, but when it comes to conviction of infidelity and crime, they are more often just frowned upon, given a slap on the wrist and asked to move about their merry way. Kobe Bryant allegedly raping that girl was excused and forgotten. His wife stayed with him because she was also under the public eye. The sanctity of marriage in hollywood is so easily tarnished and the fact of the matter is that kids look up to these people as role models. Its a sad thing that they are promoting inappropriate behavior and the children that want to be like them will think it's alright.

It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction the NBA gets now that a player has stated he is gay. Will he get signed? I'm not sure. Listening to some of the rationalization on the television is ridicoulus and I'm sure the media will sensationalize it for their benefit.